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2003 eta Carinae Observing

Eta Carinae is one of the most interesting stars in the sky. According to predictions, 2003 could be a very exciting year for observing Eta Car. Below is a list of resources and information that can help you with your observations.

Eta Car (type S Doradus) is a Luminous Blue Variable that historically has shown two types of irregular eruptions - a typical S Doradus-type eruption with a brightening of 1-2 magnitudes in visual wavelength and a duration of years, and a "giant eruption" that shows a significant increase in total luminosity (to that rivaling a supernova) and mass ejection of a solar mass or more. Eta Car has experienced several of these giant eruptions, the most recent being in the 1840's when the star reached magnitude -1 and much of the material we see as the surrounding Homunculus nebula was ejected (Humphreys et al., Publ. ASP, 111,1124 (1999)).

The 5.52-year x-ray eclipse cycle believed to exist in the extremely complex eta Car is expected to produce an x-ray eclipse in late May or mid-July (depending on the model) of 2003. Optical brightening should most probably follow this eclipse, as may be seen in the 1997-2000 visual observations in the AAVSO International Database. (below)